26 | Sector Focus: British Timber
SUMMARY
■ John Clegg’s annual Forest Market Review was published in April
■New investors are being attracted into the sector
■Most properties that came to the market in 2024 found a buyer
■Prices have remained fairly steady into 2025
GB FORESTRY MARKET STEADIES AFTER TWO-YEAR DIP
The commercial forestry market in Great Britain appears to be stabilising, with high-quality plantations maintaining strong values and cautious optimism within the sector, according to forestry and woodland specialists John Clegg & Co
John Clegg & Co’s annual Forest Market Review, which was published in April, shows that the forestry market proceeded with caution in 2024, just as it did in 2023. Average plantation prices were down by about 10%, but the company, which is part of Strutt & Parker, believes the value of good quality plantations moved little over the year. “The cautious optimism we predicted last year had a little more caution and somewhat less optimism than anticipated,” said Simon Hart, head of forestry, Scotland. “Timber prices were largely flat, interest rates remained higher for longer than many predicted and global conflicts showed few signs of resolution.” However, he added that the forestry fundamentals remain strong, with new investors being attracted into the sector. Global timber demand is rising, domestic house building remains a priority and timber is the best construction material if one is serious about tackling climate change, he said.
Above: The 88.86-acre Craiglug Wood was on sale as part of the Aberdeenshire Portfolio with the asking price of offers over £150,000
TTJ | September/October 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
“We predicted the new government would have little impact on the market, but did not anticipate the curve ball of it altering the Business Property Relief allowances for inheritance tax (for which commercial forestry qualifies). However, despite this forthcoming change we cannot discern a clear market price response.”
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